2024 BMBF - MAX-RAP
From waste to resource: challenges and opportunities in maximizing the reuse of recycled asphalt in asphalt layers
Author
Client
Federal Ministry of Education and Research
Project duration
10/2024 - 09/2027
Brief description
Current strategies for the reuse of recycled asphalt pavement (RAP) are limited due to a lack of knowledge about the extent of bitumen recyclability. Therefore, the proportion and quality of virgin bitumen, the use of rejuvenating agents and their dosage are based on trial and error. This research project will attempt to assess the extent of recyclability of RAP bitumen by analyzing its chemical composition and rheological properties. The possibility of using different petroleum-based fractions as an alternative to virgin bitumen and rejuvenator will be investigated. To ensure that the use of RAP can be maximized, the uncertainty associated with the degree of blending at the mixture level will be circumvented by proposing a unique approach to isolate bitumen from RAP. Two novel concepts are therefore proposed in this research project: the quantification of the extent of recyclability of bitumen in RAP and the application of a novel industrial scale processing approach to enable the highest possible degree of recovery of the individual fractions of RAP.